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25 Sep 2012

I have created 4 illustrations around the subject of Worm, my hand made toy.
"I worked hard to emulate different styles in each wallpaper. Seek them out for their own sake and if you're quick, win a Worm."

You will find 4 different illustrations on 4 different websites. (Hint: They are all closely related to Box-Bods and toy collectibles).
Here's 4 clues for the 4 sites;

1. "Box-Bod" "Blogs" it. (Wait on, that's this one!)

Worm is cut up. Inspired by Jason Freenie.

2. Some times your "bots" are in "bits" but you'll see what you're looking for at the bottom of the page.
3. BoxBods opens the "book" and "face" it. I hope you LIKE it.
4. It's good to "Flick" thRough pictures. (include this; /photos/realityornothing/)

Come on, can I make it any easier?

When you find all 4 different wallpaper illustrations, simply email the 4 web addresses you found them on to; hinterland@btinternet.com
The 3 quickest will each win a Worm.

17 Apr 2012

Bitbots founder, Jats Gill, kindly took some time to answer my questions so I could gain a little insight in to the Bitbots company and the Bitbots Jinny toy.

1. What is your background and how did you get into the Toy collectible world?
I am a designer, I work in web design mainly, I have also worked in animation. I have a undergrad in Multimedia Technology and 2 post grads one in 3d character animation and the 2nd in image and communication

I have worked in the web industry for 6 years but I when I was younger and worked at the Apple Store in Regent St London I was introduced to vinyl toys. I started collecting and within a few years I had around 300 of them! I then just one day decided I'm going to stop buying them and start making them instead so that's what I did!

2. How did you evolve the Jinny, what was the inspiration?
I wanted to design a playful platform toy, my family nickname is Jinny so it was an ideal name for the toy. I wanted something that could be designed into a male or female character and I wanted to get away from the symmetrical designs in vinyl.

3. What were the main challenges to overcome in setting up Bitbots?
The early challenges are finding a factory in China, finding artists and finding the money! Once that is all done then the real battle begins finding stores to buy your products and getting the customers to like your toys. Every stage was extremely hard. In this market stores don't like taking risks with new toys.
4. What do you see in the future for Bitbots?
We are hoping to bring out more Jinny 6" designs, we have some amazing designs ready and waiting. We also want to develop our super limited edition range with Box-Bods.

We now have an amazing app that lets you design your own Jinny and take pictures we would like to take this further. I love Apple and tech products so its a great area to develop.

5. What advice would you give other designers who would like to create a Vinyl Toy?
Do your research, be realistic about the project and try to approach toy manufactures such as Bitbots to go into partnership with you. But even if you find a partnership, you will still have to pay for the production. In this financial climate having your own funding and an industry insider is the way to stand a chance in making a success of your idea.

6 Apr 2012

On reflection of the numerous posts about Worm popping up on the internet, I realise there is scant visual reference to the box itself. This post hopes to rectify that.

When I was designing the Bods, I wanted to frame them somehow. My solution was to create a box that was integral to the display of the figure. This also helped me arrive at the name Box-Bods.

So here's a picture of Worm in his natural environment.

Worm-in-the-box early prototype

Each box is numbered 1-25 and has my signature on the back. The box has 4 windows to view the figure from each angle. You can see the box net here on my "about" page. This is an early iteration of the box.

As each Worm is hand made, they have slight differences from each other. As I mix my own paint from the primary colours, I was careful that the tones were consistent. When sculpting, however, I allowed each Worm to develop it's own character, the sculpting was done by hand and not from a mould or cast.

When painting the clay figures I adapted the design, to the nuance of each shape, in the hope that each Worm has it's own charm.

The figure is secured to the base of the box with a 1cm screw that locks it firmly onto the card.

17 Dec 2011

Designs for the series of Box-Bods that I am currently producing. The finished figures have designs taken from these doodles. Except the DIY one which is for any one out there with a taste for painting at home!

11 Nov 2011

I have now painted my first figure, not much to look at, but the things I had learnt to make him were important.

I had used air drying clay for the first time. It's a bit greasy and binds together in a funny way, however, it's very hard when dry and not at all crumbly, unlike cheddar cheese. I'll never sculpt with cheddar again.

Lava Kid had taught me well.

I also realised that having a plan for the shape and the painting is a good idea.

I love him for the things he taught me, I call him Lava Kid.

I hope you love him too. Don't be too cruel to him, oh cruel cruel world.